Published: 
Nov 3, 2006

NASA/Marshall Astronomy: Earth's Plasma Plume Unveiled

 

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Earth's Plasma Plume Unveiled

 

magnetosphere_30.gif
 
Earth's invisible shield protects atmosphere
aurora_30.gif
 
Solar wind heats and expands the auroral oval, sometimes to mid-continent.
outflow_30.gif
 
Plasma fountain spews 50 tons a day into space.
psi_30.gif
 
Yet, previous spacecraft have found the polar caps to be EMPTY!
tide_30.gif
 
POLAR/TIDE-PSI show the caps are overflowing with plasma.
transformer_30.gif
 
Who cares? You will, when the lights go out!
 

 

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November 20, 1996

Authors: Dave Dooling, B.L. Giles
Curator: Bryan Walls
NASA Official: John M. Horack